BEIJING - China is keen to help build the Malaysia-Singapore highspeed rail link that will cut travel time be­­tween the republic and Kuala Lum­pur to 90 minutes.

The interest was expressed during a meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Chi­nese Premier Li Keqiang yesterday, according to state media Xinhua.

Li told Najib that China was willing to "actively participate" in the Singapore-Malaysia highspeed rail.

Targeted for completion in 2020, the line will be between 320km and 340km in length. The project is now undergoing an engineering study.

Issues such as financing and governance will have to be worked out by both countries' governments be­­fore a tender can be called.

Xinhua also reported that Li called for the two sides to further their co­­operation.

Li said the Chinese government supports construction of the industrial parks in China's Qinzhou and Malaysia's Kuantan and encourages Chinese enterprises to invest in Malaysia.

China and Malaysia have agreed to set up a clearing bank on Renminbi (RMB)-Ringgit business deals in Kuala Lumpur, a pact that will bolster the latter's position as a gateway for RMB flows in Southeast Asia.